I want to leave a legacy of free, fair elections, says Buhari

Release
By Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
PRESIDENT BUHARI: I WANT TO LIVE A LEGACY OF FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Daura declared that he would want to be remembered as a leader who kept his word that elections in Nigeria must be free, fair and credible.
Receiving Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, who came to formally inform him of his election victory in last Saturday’s Governorship poll, the President commended Nigerians who heeded to his pre-election appeals to cast their votes peacefully.
The President who described last Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections across the country as largely successful said:
‘‘I have maintained a position that elections must be free and fair and people have the right to make their choices and vote their consciences. I am happy they understood the message and did just that.
‘‘Power is a public trust that belongs to the people. Power is not by strength or wisdom but by Providence. Elected persons must be fair and just. This is the legacy I want to leave behind. A leader must be fair and just. All leaders should strive to do that.’’
Governor Masari, who was accompanied by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Katsina State, thanked the President and the party for the support which led to his decisive victory on March 9.
The governor pledged to work for the good of the people of Katsina State, in line with the vision of the Next Levelgovernment at the centre.
_______
I LOOK FORWARD TO MUTUAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH NINTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY – PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Daura said he is looking forward to a mutual and effective working relationship with the ninth National Assembly toward improving the budgetary process and restoring the country to the January-December fiscal cycle.
Receiving his old school mates, who came to congratulate him on his re-election for a second term, the President recounted how the delay in the passage of budgets hindered timely execution of projects across the country.
With the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential election and majority seats in the ninth Senate, President Buhari expressed confidence that more work will be done to improve the efficiency of the budgetary process.
The President told his classmates in the 1953 set of Katsina Middle School, Daura, led by Senator Abba Ali, that it is on record that the 2018 budget proposals submitted to the National Assembly on November 7, 2017, was passed after seven months.
Notwithstanding the challenges, President Buhari assured his classmates that the Executive arm of government, under his watch, will strive towards effective implementation of national budgets while promoting transparency and accountability.
He thanked his old school colleagues for the ‘reunion’, commending their interest and useful suggestions on advancing Nigeria’s prosperity and stability.
In his remarks, Senator Ali, while congratulating the President on his re-election, said majority of Nigerians believed in his purposeful leadership and resoundingly renewed his mandate.
The Senator, who wished the President more success in his second-term, noted that the country will benefit more when the executive and legislative branches of government work in unison on national interests.